§ 7324. Unlawful sale of dissertations, theses and term papers.(a) Definitions.--As used in this section:
(1) "Assignment" means any specific written, recorded,
pictorial, artistic, or other academic task that is intended
for submission to any university, academy, school or other
educational institution which is chartered, incorporated,
licensed, registered or supervised by the Commonwealth, in
fulfillment of the requirements of a degree, diploma,
certificate or course of study at any such institution.
(2) "Prepare" means to create, write, or in any way
produce in whole or substantial part, a term paper, thesis,
dissertation, essay, report or other written, recorded,
pictorial, artistic or other assignment for a fee.
(b) Sale of assistance to student.--No person shall sell or
offer for sale to any student enrolled in a university, college,
academy, school or other educational institution within the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania any assistance in the preparation,
research or writing of a dissertation, thesis, term paper,
essay, report or other written assignment knowing, or under the
circumstances having reason to know, that said assignment is
intended for submission either in whole or substantial part
under said student's name to such educational institution in
fulfillment of the requirements for a degree, diploma,
certificate or course of study.
(c) Sale or distribution of assignment to student.--No
person shall sell or offer for distribution any dissertation,
thesis, term paper, essay, report or other written assignment to
any student enrolled in a university, college, academy, school
or any other institution within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
knowing, or under the circumstances having reason to know, that
said assignment is intended for submission either in whole or
substantial part under said student's name to such educational
institution in fulfillment of the requirement for a degree,
diploma, certificate or course of study.
(d) Sale or distribution for sale to student.--No person
shall sell or offer for distribution any dissertation, thesis,
term paper, essay, report or other written assignment to any
person who, sells or offers for sale any such dissertation,
thesis, term paper, essay, report or other written assignment to
any student enrolled in a university, college, academy, school
or other educational institution within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania knowing, or under the circumstances having reason
to know, that said assignment is intended for submission either
in whole or substantial part under said student's name to such
educational institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a
degree, diploma, certificate or course of study.
(e) Authorized activities and services.--Nothing herein
contained shall prevent such educational institution or any
member of its faculty or staff, from offering courses,
instruction, counseling or tutoring for research or writing as
part of a curriculum or other program conducted by such
educational institution. Nor shall this section prevent any
educational institution or any member of its faculty or staff
from authorizing students to use statistical, computer, or any
other services which may be required or permitted by such
educational institution in the preparation, research or writing
of a dissertation, thesis, term paper, essay, report or other
written assignment. Nor shall this section prevent tutorial
assistance rendered by other persons which does not include the
preparation, research or writing of a dissertation, thesis, term
paper, essay, report or other written assignment knowing, or
under the circumstances having reason to know, that said
assignment is intended for submission either in whole or
substantial part under said student's name to such educational
institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a degree,
diploma, certificate or course of study. Nor shall any person be
prevented by the provisions of this section from rendering
services for a fee which shall be limited to the typing,
transcription or reproduction of a manuscript.
(f) Authorized sale of copyrighted material.--Nothing
contained within this section shall prevent any person from
selling or offering for sale a publication or other written
material which shall have been registered under the United
States Laws of Copyright: Provided, however, That the owner of
such copyright shall have given his authorization or approval
for such sale: And, provided further, That said person shall not
know or under the circumstances have reason to know that said
assignment is intended for submission either in whole, or
substantial part, under a student's name as a dissertation,
thesis, term paper, essay, report or other written assignment to
such educational institution within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in fulfillment of the requirements for a degree,
diploma, certificate or course of study.
(g) Grading.--Any person who violates the provisions of this
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(h) Injunction.--Whenever there shall be a violation of this
section an application also may be made by the Attorney General
in the name of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to
a court having jurisdiction to issue an injunction, and upon
notice to the defendant of not less than five days, to enjoin
and restrain the continuance of such violation; and if it shall
appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the
defendant has, in fact, violated this section, an injunction may
be issued by such court, enjoining and restraining any further
violation, without requiring proof that any person has, in fact,
been injured or damaged thereby. In connection with any such
proposed application, the Attorney General is authorized to take
proof and make a determination of the relevant facts and to
issue subpoenas in accordance with the laws and rules of civil
procedure.
(July 27, 1973, P.L.226, No.58, eff. imd.)
1973 Amendment. Act 58 added section 7324.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.